The Aeolian 65/88-note push-up player that I once had could play both
types of rolls. There were two rows of holes on the tracker bar, one
set for each type of spacing: 9 holes to the inch for the 88-note rolls
and 6 holes to the inch for the 65-note rolls.
There was a little attachment that fit over the top spool so it could
handle the correct rolls. The unit played all 88 notes from the 88-
note roll and played 65 notes from the 65-note rolls. There was a
switching device that was operated by a lever to convert from 65- to
88-note holes on the tracker bar.
Another player by Aeolian was a Duo-Art with a transposing device.
This I had not seen on any other Duo-Art's. The tracker bar also had
holes in the bar for the tracking pneumatics instead of the usual
little ears. It moved the tracker bar left to right instead of moving
the top spool. This offered much less wear and tear on the rolls. On
the back of the spool box was a nicely made piece for the transposing
device. This was an English made Duo-Art, as was the 88-note push up.
The Duo-Art, by the way, was advertised off and on for a year for $800
in the AMICA bulletin and the Antique Trader with no takers. I had the
doors closed and a young couple came in the store looking for a used
piano. They bought the piano for $800 without the player parts.
Don Teach, Shreveport Music Co
1610 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport, LA 71105
dat-smc@juno.com
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